About Us

We specialize in analyzing policy questions that most affect urban areas, often using the Charlotte area as our research laboratory. Our Ph.D. students specialize in urban policy, social policy, economic policy, education policy, and environmental policy, just to name a few.

Judith Walsh

Judy's research has focused on the growing number of aging residents entering long-term care facilities particularly on standards of quality of care, but also on measures of the quality of life, which are far more difficult to quantify.

Ph.D. Expected:

Spring 2014

What are your best memories about being a graduate student in the PPOL graduate program?

Meeting new friends, students, faculty and staff. Amazingly one of my best memories is my dissertation defense. Everyone was so calm, cool & collected and then it was over. It was like a dream.

What are the top 3 things you took away from the PPOL program?

• The program was intense, but not so competitive that you couldn’t trust fellow students.

• Faculty were generally great and willing to help.

• I enjoyed having the ability to take classes in so many disciplines.

What advice would you give new students about how to succeed in graduate school?

• Be prepared to work weekends! But make time for yourself.

• Don’t go it alone. Find a partner. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek help from everyone.

• Sign up for the dissertation boot camp

• Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Any suggestions or tips for job search and preparing for going on the job market?

It is much more difficult to find a job if you limit yourself geographically.